Customer Reviews

Aube by Honeywell CT241-01/U Universal Low Volt Thermostat Phone Controller

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Purchased unit to turn the heat on in our cottage in northern Wisconsin as we are driving up there. The unit works as promised. However there should be some instructions with the unit to give you an idea how to hook it up. There are none. Our existing thermostat is a simple 2 wire unit and so I connected 2 new wires to the existing connections and ran the wires to the ct241. It sounds simple and it is. I just wish they would include that in the instructions.
The other observation I have is that you need to turn the ct241 off when you get there and then use your regular thermostat. Otherwise your heater will continue to run and will NOT turn off.

Purchased this Aube by Honeywell CT241-01/U Universal Low Volt Thermostat Phone Controller to work with a TH140-28-01-B/U Hydronic Heating 7-Day Programmable Thermostat.
I am using it to control a millivolt operated stand alone gas stove that provides backup heat to my home when I travel.
The Gas stove keeps the house at 40 degrees so that the house does not freeze up. Make a call home 3 hours before arriving home, our house is 65 when we arrive.

This unit requires an additional 12 volt dc power supply when used with the TH 140 T stat. The th140 does not supply it's own power and this unit is only a sophisticated switch.
I had an old cube type 12 volt dc power supply from a long dead portable phone that I used. You can probably find what you need at goodwill.
There is different Phone controller that is recommended if you only want to control a thermostat. It provides the 12v output for the TH140 thermostat.
However, I bought this one so that I have the option of controlling my watering systems and other electrically controlled devices remotely if I desired.

This phone controller has 4 sets of normally open spst dry contacts. The contacts are rated at 1/2hp at 120 volts ac. See the spec sheet or contact the manufacturer for other ratings. Each can be toggled on or off during your phone call home.
You can also check the status of each without affecting the output while on the phone to the controller.
It does work with an answering machine. It is password protected.
These are actual relay contacts so there is no leakage voltage across them unlike triacs. You could use it to control a suitable power relay to turn off or on practically anything that
is electrically powered. Consult an electrician.

There is a switch on the back that allows you to use it with an answering machine if you so set it. Make your selection before you mount the unit.
I had to plug the answering machine directly into our unit to make it work in my situation. We have very low voltage on our phone lines here, as we are in a remote area. It is not unusual for us to have problems with phone machines, modems etc. When the phone controller was in parallel with the answering machine/cordless phone base, the phone controller would pick up, but the line would continue to ring until the answering machine picked up.
The phone system did not sense the Phone Controller picking up and continued to ring the line.
That did not work. Moving the answering machine so that it plugged into the provided jack on the Ct241 solved the problem.
Relocating the wireless phone base was a small price to pay for coming home to warm house after being away for days or weeks.
This unit works as advertised. Tested it today when returning from a trip. It was nice to walk into a warm house.
I found it easy to install but being a former industrial electrician I would. The instructions do include some simple drawing, but do not mention the need for power relays on heavy loads such as a water heater. I have no comment on this.

I called the manufacturer before purchasing it for my project, I recommend you do the same. They were very helpful. I would recommend a phone line surge protector be installed with this unit.
Might save you replacing it after a lightening storm.

The results were well worth the time spent installing it.

This is the best!!! I purchased the phone controlled thermostat for our place in Tahoe. Before I bought it, when we got up there, it would be freezing cold. Now, I turn the heat on in Auburn and when we get there, the temperature is around 60 degrees. It's cool, but not freezing. Very doable without wasting heat. If I turned the heat on in Sacramento, it's very warm.

Without an answering machine this product works exactly as described. I am still waiting to hear from Tech support as i have not been able to make it work with an answering machine on the telephone line as well.